Skip to content

Celebrating exceptional people in defence

We're delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Women in Defence UK Awards! During a ceremony held at City of London's Guildhall on November 29th, we announced the winners of 10 categories and our overall Woman of the Year award. See the full list of winners below.

Woman of the Year

PA Consulting

Partner

Chief Technician Emma Morgan

Royal Air Force

Inspirational Award

Lockheed Martin

Partner

Winners

Lisa Hodge

MOD Civil Service  

Finalists

Lieutenant Isobel Rawlinson

Royal Navy 

Lisa Hodge

MOD Civil Service  

Regimental Sergeant Major Lucy Read

Army

Shortlist

Lieutenant Isobel Rawlinson

Royal Navy 

Lisa Hodge

MOD Civil Service  

Regimental Sergeant Major Lucy Read

Army

Outstanding Contribution Award

BAE Systems

Partner

Winners

Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Tait

Army

Finalists

Sergeant Hannah Kenyon

Army

Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Tait

Army

Pauline Lewis

MOD Civil Service

Shortlist

Sergeant Hannah Kenyon

Army

Lieutenant Colonel Kelly Tait

Army

Pauline Lewis

MOD Civil Service

Most Collaborative Award

KBR

Partner

Winners

Lorna Pope

MoD Civil Service  

Finalists

Claire Hussey

MoD Civil Service  

Jessica McCartan

MoD Civil Service  

Lorna Pope

MoD Civil Service  

Shortlist

Claire Hussey

MoD Civil Service  

Jessica McCartan

MoD Civil Service  

Lorna Pope

MoD Civil Service  

Resolute Spirit Award

Royal Navy

Partner

Winners

Chief Technician Emma Morgan

Royal Air Force

Finalists

Chief Technician Emma Morgan

Royal Air Force

Major Katherine Page

Army  

Kirsty Jackson

Thales UK  

Shortlist

Chief Technician Emma Morgan

Royal Air Force

Major Katherine Page

Army  

Kirsty Jackson

Thales UK  

Equity of Opportunity Award

Eviden

Partner

Winners

Jo Osburn-Hughes

MoD Civil Service

Finalists

Bethany Lowe

BAE Systems  

Jo Osburn-Hughes

MoD Civil Service

Nicola

Royal Air Force

Shortlist

Bethany Lowe

BAE Systems  

Jo Osburn-Hughes

MoD Civil Service

Nicola

Royal Air Force

Emerging Talent Award

Army

Partner

Winners

Sapper Hermione Romain

Army  

Finalists

Second Lieutenant Ezme Hollick

Army

Sapper Hermione Romain

Army  

Air Engineering Technician Melissa Cummins

Royal Navy 

Shortlist

Second Lieutenant Ezme Hollick

Army

Sapper Hermione Romain

Army  

Air Engineering Technician Melissa Cummins

Royal Navy 

Unsung Heroines Award

Leidos

Partner

Winners

Debs Geany

MoD Civil Service  

Finalists

Debs Geany

MoD Civil Service  

Corporal Elizabeth Driver

Royal Air Force

Susan Hetzke

MoD Civil Service  

Shortlist

Debs Geany

MoD Civil Service  

Corporal Elizabeth Driver

Royal Air Force

Susan Hetzke

MoD Civil Service  

Innovation and Creativity Award

QinetiQ

Partner

Winners

Sam Staincliffe

Uplift 360  

Finalists

Guyani

MI5

Sam Staincliffe

Uplift 360  

Sareena

NCA

Shortlist

Guyani

MI5

Sam Staincliffe

Uplift 360  

Sareena

NCA

Champion for Maximising Talent

Northrop Grumman

Partner

Winners

Mary Haigh

BAE Systems  

Finalists

Ellen Harrison

Boeing  

Mary Haigh

BAE Systems  

Servicewomen’s Representatives on HCDC Inquiry Response

Joint

Shortlist

Ellen Harrison

Boeing  

Mary Haigh

BAE Systems  

Servicewomen’s Representatives on HCDC Inquiry Response

Joint

Inclusive Teamwork Award

Royal Air Force

Partner

Winners

HMS Northumberland Change Working Group

Royal Navy  

Finalists

Gender Equity Network

BAE Systems

Herald RFA Inclusivity Committee

Royal Navy 

HMS Northumberland Change Working Group

Royal Navy  

Shortlist

Gender Equity Network

BAE Systems

Herald RFA Inclusivity Committee

Royal Navy 

HMS Northumberland Change Working Group

Royal Navy